CARTER – Arthur John Edward “Jack”

Prominent Calgary businessman and philanthropist Jack Carter passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 1, 2011, in White Rock, B.C. with his family by his side.

Well-known in Calgary as the founder of Jack Carter Chev Olds, Jack always considered Calgary to be his home and was a quiet but generous supporter of the Calgary Foundation and Heritage Park.

Jack was born in Wadena, Saskatchewan, and graduated from high school there in 1939. He joined the RCAF at age nineteen to train as a pilot and received his wings in December 1941. He served as a Pilot Training instructor in Prince Albert and Portage La Prairie before being posted overseas in 1943. As a Flight Lieutenant, he piloted a Lancaster Bomber with Squadron 428, flying missions over Germany from 1943 to 1944. In recognition of his service, Jack was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Following the war, Jack joined his brother-in-law in Gallant Motors in Swift Current. In 1957, he became sole owner of the business and it became Century Motors. In 1962, Jack moved his family to Calgary where he built and established Jack Carter Chev Olds at the intersection of Glenmore Trail and Macleod Trail. He continued as a partner in the dealership until his retirement last year at the young age of 88.

Friends and family, as well as the many people he worked with, regarded Jack as a very humble, self-assuming individual with a remarkable ability to treat everyone with the same respect, from the lot boy at the dealership to its manager. Those who knew him closely describe him as a “Gentle Soul”.

Jack is survived by his loving partner of eighteen years, Mary MacLeod; his children, David (Sue) Carter, Diane Carter and Donna (Terry) L’Amarca; his sisters, Sybil Alexander and Gwen Sutherland; many nieces and nephews; and his very dear friend, Shirley Carter. He was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Rosanna, his brother Kenneth and his sisters Madge (Gallant) and Georgie (Richards) and his son-in-law Ted Riehl.

Condolence Messages

Eva and I are so sorry for your loss.
As a former employee, I got to know Jack quite well. He was kind, generous, humble and respectful to his employees and all he came in contact with. He also showed us his home in California and took us out to a very fancy restaurant.

I was a former employee with Jack Carter Chev-Olds and have fond memories of the personal nature of Mr. Carter. He always had time to stop by in the service areas to socialize with me. It does mean something when a distinguished owner knows and talks to their employees. It was a pleasure knowing and working for him.

Hello Donna, it’s been years since we’ve had the opportunity to be connected, but neverthless I read with sadness the news of your father’s passing. It marks the end of an era, doesn’t it? My sincere condolences to you and all of your family.
Fondly
Barb Winterton
Bel-Air, Milton Williams and Wisewood

To all the Carter Family, Carrolle and I will miss Jack very much, our family will forever be in his debt for stepping up and supporting me in my first venture in Olds in 1982 . Since our payout in 1986 we have continued to enjoy Jack and Mary’s company on many occasions. I regret not being able to attend on Tuesday as I have a commitment in Vancouver that I cannot cancel. All the best, we did love Jack.
Frank.

On behalf of myself and your many friends at General Motors, please accept our most sincere condolences on the passing Jack Carter.

It certainly isn’t fair to have a loved one depart, and while words certainly cannot replace the sorrow and emptiness of losing a loved one, allow the prayers and thoughts of your friends to guide you through this time of bereavement.

As a spouse of a former employee, I will always remember my first welcome greeting at the company Christmas party. Mr. Carter took my right hand and sandwiched it between his two hands, looked me in the eyes and wished me welcome and Merry Christmas. That handshake welcomed me into the “Carter Family” for the next 30 years, I knew I had met one of those rare people that touch your life in a very special way. Please accept our heartfelt condolences, to you, the family, for your loss.

Our family was very sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. My Father, Russ Budd along with Jack and Bernie Gallant went way back to their working together after the war at Gallant Motors. Dad and Jack were close friends for many years. I recall when Jack moved to Calgary him wanting Dad to move there as well but that was not in the plans for our family. Over the years I grew to respect what a terrific individual Jack was and even the last time I saw him which was at Dad’s funeral in 1995, I was was so impressed that he would take the time to come down for the funeral. Once again on behalf of the family we certainly have our thoughts with the Carter family as they mourn a great man.

The Management and Staff at Tercier Motors in Bonnyville would like to sned our deepest sadness to the Carter Family and to the Staff at Jack Carter Dealership-
Our Prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Take Care and May God Bless.

To Mary,
I felt very sorry and sad to hear of Jack’s passing and offer my condolences. Although I have known Jack for only a few years, I was instinctively aware that he was a man of honor and treasured his support particularly in my difficult times. I know Mary also to be a strong individual and wish her the best over this trying period.